What can I do if my wife has been in a hit and run accident and now wants to turn herself in to police?

Question

My wife was in a car accident but she left the accident because she was getting nervous and sick. She was getting asthma attack but she told me that she tell them she told me that she check the other driver and she was ok. The only damage was the back of the car (not much) and she tried to give her information to the other driver but she told her to live her alone. Then she left. Now she want to give herself up to the cops. Can you tell me what to do?

Stephen Freeborn · Answer

First, hire an attorney.  He can help with the issue.  Based upon her leaving the scene, I suspect that there is a warrant.

Paul Whitfield · Answer

Tell the police and tell your insurance carrier about the damage. There should be no consequence not serious. The whole idea is to pay damages for small property loss.

Terry Nelson · Answer

The best advice is to do so through an attorney, who can arrange a voluntary turn in that might avoid being taken into custody and transported to jail in cuffs.  A little free advice:  exercise the 5th Amendment right to SHUT UP and do NOT talk to police or anyone about the case except with and through an attorney.     When questioned, arrested or charged with any crime, the proper questions are, can any evidence obtained in a test, search or statement be used against you, can you be convicted, and what can you do?  The attorney will raise all appropriate defenses with whatever witnesses, evidence and sympathies are available for legal arguments, for evidence suppression, search and seizure, or other motions, or for trial.  Effective plea-bargaining, using those defenses, could possibly reduce the potential ?time? and other penalties you face.  If you don't know how to represent yourself effectively against an experienced prosecutor intending to convict, then hire an attorney who does, who will try to get a dismissal, charge reduction, diversion, programs, or other decent outcome through motions, plea bargain, or take it to trial if appropriate.    If serious about hiring counsel to help in this, and if the charges are in SoCal courts, feel free to contact me.  I?ll be happy to help fight this and get the best outcome possible, using whatever defenses there may be.

Francis Cowhig · Answer

Your question requires an attorney consultation. It is not a simple question that can be answered on this type of forum. There are many factors that would need to be considered and evaluated.   Hit and run is a serious offense which can be charged as a felony if the other person was injured and could result in a jail sentence.  I strongly suggest that you contact an experienced criminal law attorney for a face-to-face consultation and give him/her all of the facts surrounding your situation.  He/she would then be in a better position to analyze your case and advise you of your options.

David Stoddard · Answer

Call an attorney to assist her in turning herself in.  The attorney can inquire as to whether the accident is even being investigated as a hit an run, and if it is, can arrange for her to turn herself in and hopefully get out on bond the same day (we sometimes refer to this as a "turn around"), or take her to the local police station.

Ronald A. Steinberg · Answer

Get a lawyer.  Discuss it with the lawyer.  If the lawyer shows up at the police department with her, they probably will not put her in jail.  Report the accident to your auto insurance, so they can pay the damage.

Britany Engelman · Answer

This is a difficult situation. You should consult directly with an attorney confidentially as soon as possible.

Eric Sterkenburg · Answer

She should go to the police station and tell them what happened.

James Osak · Answer

HIRE AN ATTORNEY ASAP!

David E. Frank · Answer

She should consult with a local criminal attorney first, before she turns herself in.

Michael Palumbo · Answer

No one should be giving such specific legal advice that could impute the penal interests of a 3rd party and this is your wife sir, hire a lawyer!

Michael J. Breczinski · Answer

Well if she turns herself in she will be charged with leaving the scene of an accident and that will be a misdemeanor if ther were no injuries. She could just not do anything. Maybe the police do not have enough information to charge her. If she is contacted by the police she should not say anything.

Michael Paul Vollandt · Answer

Who reported it? if the other driver told to to not bother about the information she either did not have any insurance herself or it was a minor bump.   Your Wife should have a lawyer talk a look at it before she starts getting the police involved.

Thomas Edward Gates · Answer

Go to the police and give a statement.

Ernest Lee · Answer

You should get an attorney to help facilitate the turn in and go from there. The attorney may also be able to limit or stop the 'leaving the scene".

John D Duncan · Answer

Hire a lawyer to help her walk through.  Hit and run accidents are as serious as the injuries the particular event created.

Kevin Habberfield · Answer

Call the cops and have her tell them what happened.

Robert De Groot · Answer

She can be arrested for this. When she is hire an attorney. You can hire one to arrange for her to turn herself in.

Robert Lucky · Answer

Your wife should consult a criminal attorney to discuss the proper way in which to turn herself in to the authorities. Unfortunately, I do not do criminal law. You may call my office and I will be happy to give you a referral to a criminal attorney who can hopefully assist your wife.

John Brennan · Answer

Most probably make a report and insurance claim reflecting the full facts.

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What can I do if my wife has been in a hit and run accident and now wants to turn herself in to police?

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